PANAJI
Concerns over sewage pollution, garbage disposal and civic infrastructure dominated the Taleigao gram sabha held on Sunday, with residents raising a series of issues affecting the village and its coastal belt.
The gram sabha discussed the cleanliness of the St Inez creek in Panaji which also meanders into Taleigao via Tonca and the surrounding areas, waste management, drainage works and other development projects.
Following the meeting, Sarpanch Maria Fernandes and other panchayat members briefed mediapersons on the issues raised and the development works currently underway in the village.
They acknowledged that plastic waste remains a challenge due to tourist activity and other factors but maintained that the problem is being addressed effectively. They also pointed out that despite repeated clean-up drives, littering continues in and around the creek area.
According to the panchayat, a private agency engaged by the Smart City administration, with support from Panaji Mayor Rohit Monserrate, is carrying out an extensive clean-up of the creek and adjoining areas. They argued that the exercise is not merely a publicity effort but part of an ongoing ground-level campaign to improve sanitation.
Environmental initiatives such as beach clean-up campaigns are being conducted with the participation of students from Dhempe College and other institutions, they said.
Similar drives are planned in the market area. The panchayat further stated that drainage renovation works and several pending development projects are in the pipeline, with work orders already issued.
The meeting, however, was not without controversy. Taleigao resident and social worker Cecille Rodrigues alleged that she was not given adequate time to speak and was humiliated with taunts during the proceedings.
She also claimed that the minutes of the previous gram sabha were not read out.
Rodrigues raised concerns at the gram sabha about open defecation at Odxel Beach and said villagers highlighted sewage pollution, delayed drainage works, drinking water safety and road accidents. Her allegations added a discordant note to a gram sabha otherwise focused on civic and environmental concerns.
